Author Archives: Ida Torres

Dreamfarm’s Genius Measuring Cup Squeegees Itself Clean Every Time

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You know that moment when you’re trying to measure out peanut butter and half of it stays stubbornly stuck to the measuring cup? Or when you’re spooning honey and it seems like no matter how much you scrape, there’s always that last bit clinging to the sides, taunting you? Yeah, we’ve all been there. It’s one of those tiny kitchen frustrations that feels like it should have been solved decades ago.

Well, Australian design company Dreamfarm finally decided to do something about it. Their UpCup is a 4-in-1 adjustable measuring cup that scrapes itself clean for wet, dry, and sticky ingredients. And honestly, it’s one of those designs that makes you wonder why nobody thought of it sooner.

Designer: Dreamfarm

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Here’s how it works. The UpCup’s adjustable base raises to create 1 cup, ½ cup, ⅓ cup, and ¼ cup measuring cups, all in a single cup. So instead of cluttering your kitchen drawer with four different measuring cups, you just need this one clever little device. You choose your measurement on the handle, fill it up, and then press the slider down to push everything out.

But here’s where it gets really clever. A watertight seal around the adjustable base squeegees the UpCup clean as it moves, making it perfect for peanut butter, mayonnaise, honey, and other sticky ingredients. As the base rises up through the cup, it acts like a built-in squeegee, pushing every last drop of whatever you’re measuring straight into your bowl. No waste, no scraping with a spatula, no wrestling with stubborn ingredients. Think about all those times you’ve measured sticky ingredients. Maple syrup that pools at the bottom. Tahini that refuses to let go. Coconut oil that somehow gets everywhere except where you want it. The UpCup handles all of it with the same simple push mechanism. The base extends fully to push out every last drop, and can be removed for thorough, dishwasher-safe cleaning.

The design is refreshingly straightforward. It’s made from clear, BPA-free Tritan plastic, so you can see exactly what you’re measuring. The measurements are both printed in red and embossed directly into the plastic, which means they’ll never wear off no matter how many times you run it through the dishwasher. And speaking of heat, it can handle temperatures up to 212°F, so you can use it for hot ingredients too.

What’s particularly smart about this design is how Dreamfarm thought about the entire user experience. Since it’s self-cleaning, you can use it for all your ingredients and then toss it in the dishwasher for an overall cleaning afterwards. Need to measure out flour, then peanut butter, then honey for the same recipe? Just push the slider between each ingredient and you’re good to go. No need to wash it three times in the middle of cooking. It’s also perfect for those recipes where precision matters. When you’re baking and need exactly a third of a cup of oil, you can actually get exactly that amount into your mixing bowl instead of losing some to the measuring cup. Those small losses add up, and they can actually affect your final results, especially in baking where ratios really matter.

The UpCup is one of those kitchen tools that feels obvious once you see it. It solves a problem we’ve all just accepted as part of cooking, and it does it in a way that’s simple, functional, and honestly pretty satisfying to use. There’s something deeply pleasing about watching that base rise up and push every single drop of sticky ingredient exactly where you want it. Dreamfarm has built a reputation for rethinking everyday kitchen tools, and the UpCup is a perfect example of their approach. They didn’t just make another measuring cup. They looked at how people actually use measuring cups, identified the frustrations, and designed a solution that makes the whole process better.

Is it revolutionary? Maybe not. But it’s the kind of thoughtful, problem-solving design that makes everyday tasks just a little bit easier. And in the kitchen, where we’re constantly juggling multiple ingredients and timing everything perfectly, those little improvements really do matter. No more scraping, no more waste, and no more measuring cup drawer overflowing with nested cups. Just one smart tool that actually works the way you wish all measuring cups did.

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This 3D-Printed Soufflé Lamp Is Rising to the Top in Paris

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You know that magical moment when a soufflé rises in the oven, all light and airy and impossibly delicate? That’s exactly the energy Paris-based AEREA STUDIO captured with their Soufflé Ceramic lighting design, and honestly, it’s the kind of piece that makes you want to rethink everything on your shelves.

AEREA STUDIO is both a design studio and Parisian brand creating collectible design pieces that blend innovation with artisanal craftsmanship. Founded by designer Camille, the studio draws inspiration from the golden age of design, specifically movements from the 1940s to 1970s, with a focus on creating pieces that combine quality, durability and innovation. But here’s where it gets interesting: they’re not just looking backward for inspiration. They’re using cutting-edge 3D printing technology to create pieces that feel simultaneously retro and futuristic.

Designer: Aerea Studio

The Soufflé Ceramic comes in multiple configurations, including table lamps and pendant versions, each one a sculptural object that commands attention even when switched off. The exterior features that signature matte, pale celadon finish with horizontal striations that are the telltale mark of 3D printing. These aren’t flaws to be hidden but rather design elements celebrated for their rhythmic, organic quality. Each ridge catches light differently, creating subtle shadows that shift throughout the day.

But the real surprise happens when you turn it on. The piece reveals a glossy, jewel-toned interior in vibrant shades of pink, red, orange, and purple that contrasts beautifully with the understated exterior. It’s like cracking open a geode to discover brilliant crystals inside. The colored glaze creates this warm, saturated glow that transforms the ceramic shell into something almost alive. When lit, concentric ripples on the interior become visible, spiraling inward toward the light source like a vortex of color.

What makes AEREA STUDIO’s approach so compelling is how they’re merging old and new. Their sculptural objects play with optical effects and unique textures to transform perception and redefine functionality, all within a sustainable design approach. In an era when “sustainable” often means compromising on aesthetics, they’re proving you can have both innovation and environmental consciousness without sacrificing beauty.

The 3D printing process they use allows for textures and forms that would be nearly impossible to achieve through traditional ceramics methods. Those horizontal ripples, the irregular edges, the way each piece feels both controlled and spontaneous? That’s the magic of computational design meeting artisanal sensibility. And because each piece is printed on demand, there’s minimal waste in the production process. The technology enables walls thin enough to let light pass through while maintaining structural integrity, something that would require exceptional skill and patience with hand-thrown ceramics.

The Soufflé Ceramic’s form itself is worth examining. It’s bulbous and asymmetrical, with gentle waves and peaks that make it look like it’s mid-rise, caught in that perfect moment before it collapses. Some versions are more rounded, others taper to a point like an onion dome. The opening reveals just enough of that brilliant interior to intrigue, creating a sense of discovery. It’s sculptural furniture that happens to be functional, rather than lighting that happens to look nice.

For collectors and design enthusiasts, pieces like the Soufflé Ceramic represent an exciting intersection of technology, craft, and artistry. They’re collectible not just because they’re beautiful or limited, but because they capture a specific moment in design history when digital fabrication became truly accessible and expressive. Twenty years from now, early 3D-printed ceramics from studios like AEREA will be the mid-century modern pieces of their generation.

If you’re looking to add some sculptural lighting to your space, or you just appreciate innovative design that pushes boundaries while staying grounded in craftsmanship, the Soufflé Ceramic deserves a spot on your radar. It’s proof that the future of design isn’t about choosing between technology and tradition. It’s about finding ways to make them rise together.

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Technics SL-1200 Final Edition: Only 2,410 Gold Units Worldwide

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Some legends never really die. They just get better with age, more refined, and sometimes, a little bit of gold. That’s exactly what Technics is doing with their latest drop: the SL-1200GME Master Edition, a turntable that’s equal parts tribute and technological tour de force. If you’ve ever spent time in a recording studio, DJ booth, or just scrolling through vinyl Instagram, you know the SL-1200 isn’t just a turntable. It’s an icon. And now, Technics is giving it one last proper send-off before closing the chapter on the G series.

Let’s talk about what makes this Master Edition worth all the attention. At its heart is Technics’ ΔΣ-Drive motor control system, a tech upgrade pulled straight from their pricier models like the SL-1200GR2 and SL-1300G. This isn’t just marketing speak. The Delta Sigma Drive actively works to reduce motor vibrations and improve rotational accuracy, which is basically turntable language for “your records will sound cleaner, smoother, and more precise than ever.” When you’re dealing with vinyl, even the tiniest wobble or inconsistency can throw off the entire listening experience. This system keeps things dead steady.

Designer: Technics

Then there’s the power supply situation. Technics equipped these Master Editions with a Multi-Stage Silent power supply, the same one used in their reference-grade SL-1000R turntable that costs a cool $27,000. It combines low-noise switching with active noise canceling to keep electrical interference from creeping into your audio. For audiophiles who can hear the difference between a good power cable and a great one, this is the kind of detail that matters.

The build quality is exactly what you’d expect from a brand that’s been perfecting this design for decades. We’re talking about a four-layer chassis construction featuring aluminum die-cast, BMC (Bulk Moulding Compound), heavyweight rubber, and a 10mm brushed aluminum top plate. That platter? Three layers of aluminum die-cast, vibration-dampening rubber, and a 2mm brass top plate. The whole thing weighs nearly 8 pounds with the rubber mat included, and each platter is individually balanced on dedicated machines to eliminate any unevenness. This is the kind of engineering that separates a good turntable from one that’ll last you a lifetime.

Visually, the Master Edition stands out in all the right ways. Technics added gold-painted accents throughout the design: the tonearm, headshell logo, top panel logo, a numbered badge that proudly states “Master Edition,” and even the dust cover logo sheet. It’s subtle enough to feel classy but distinct enough that anyone who knows turntables will immediately recognize this isn’t your standard model. The SL-1200GME comes in silver, staying true to the original SL-1200 aesthetic, while the SL-1210GME offers a black finish for those who prefer something sleeker.

Here’s the catch: these aren’t going to be around forever. Technics is limiting production to just 2,410 units worldwide. That breaks down to 1,200 units of the silver SL-1200GME and 1,210 of the black SL-1210GME. Each one comes with a numbered badge, so you’ll know exactly which piece of history you’re getting. The price tag reflects the exclusivity too. UK pricing is set at £5,000 (around $6,638), with North American pricing to be announced closer to the launch. These will start shipping in January 2026 in Europe and February 2026 in North America through authorized Technics retailers.

For anyone who’s been following vinyl’s resurgence over the past decade, this feels like a full-circle moment. The SL-1200 helped define DJ culture, shaped the sound of hip-hop, and became a staple in homes where music wasn’t just background noise but a way of life. Now, Technics is closing out the G series with a version that honors that legacy while pushing the technical limits of what a direct-drive turntable can do. Whether you’re a collector, a serious listener, or someone who just appreciates beautifully designed tech, the Master Edition is the kind of piece that reminds you why analog still matters in a digital world.

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This Japanese Architect Just Designed Dubai’s Most Poetic Museum

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Dubai has never been shy about big statements. We’ve seen the tallest building, the largest mall, and artificial islands shaped like palm trees. But something different just emerged on the waters of Dubai Creek, and honestly, it’s making me think about museums in a completely new way.

Japanese architect Tadao Ando has unveiled the design for an art museum in Dubai, which will be housed in a rounded, twisting building overlooking the emirate’s natural saltwater creek. If you’re not familiar with Ando, imagine someone who speaks through concrete and light the way poets speak through words. He received the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 1995, which is basically the Nobel Prize for architects, and his work has this incredible ability to make you feel something before you even understand what you’re looking at.

Designer: Tadao Ando

The Dubai Museum of Art, affectionately called DUMA, does something I find completely captivating. Its distinctive silhouette draws on the sea and pearls and will be raised on a circular platform that extends over Dubai Creek. There’s something romantic about a museum that literally floats above water, especially in a city that was built on pearl diving long before it became synonymous with skyscrapers and luxury.

What strikes me most about Ando’s design is how it refuses to scream for attention. Renders of the five-storey Dubai Museum of Art reveal a curving building finished with white walls, punctuated by triangular windows as they swoop and twist upwards. It’s like watching fabric caught in a gentle wind, frozen mid-movement. The white exterior isn’t trying to compete with Dubai’s glittering towers. Instead, it seems to whisper while everything else shouts.

The interior is where Ando’s signature magic happens. Gallery spaces will be located on the first and second floors, illuminated by a central circular skylight designed to cast light with a pearl-like shimmer. Can you imagine walking through an art gallery where the light itself feels like part of the collection? That shimmer effect, mimicking the pearl that inspired the building’s shell, creates this dreamy atmosphere where contemporary art and natural light dance together.

What I love about this project is how deeply it connects to Dubai’s actual history, not just its futuristic ambitions. The museum’s distinctive, curved shell represents the pearl, a symbol of Dubai’s heritage and its historic relationship with the sea. Before oil, before the towers, Dubai’s wealth came from pearl diving in these very waters. Ando didn’t just design a building. He designed a memory.

Designed by Pritzker Prize-winner Ando for Dubai-based conglomerate Al-Futtaim Group, Dubai Museum of Art, also known as DUMA, is hoped to become a cultural landmark for artists and art enthusiasts. And it’s not just for looking at pretty things. The museum will feature artist talks, panel discussions, educational programs, and even art fairs. There’s also a library and study rooms specifically designed to nurture the next generation of creative minds. Omar Al Futtaim, CEO of the group behind this project, spoke beautifully about choosing Ando for this vision. He expressed pride in working with the renowned architect, noting how Ando’s work captures something intangible through light, silence, and emotional depth. For Dubai, this museum represents a peaceful conversation between the natural world, water, and human creativity.

There’s this gorgeous tension in Ando’s work where massive concrete structures somehow feel delicate and contemplative. At sunset, the building’s surface absorbs the shifting amber tones of the sky, softening its engineered geometry into something quietly atmospheric. I can already picture collectors and art lovers sitting in that third-floor restaurant, watching the creek turn golden, surrounded by walls that change color with the light.

What makes this museum feel important isn’t just its design or its floating platform. It’s what it represents for Dubai. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai’s ruler, emphasized how this cultural addition strengthens the city’s ambition to become a global center for creativity and culture while establishing its significance in the contemporary art world. The city is evolving from a place you visit for shopping and spectacle into somewhere you go for culture and contemplation.

The Dubai Museum of Art proves that the most powerful architecture doesn’t need to be the tallest or the flashiest. Sometimes it just needs to tell a story, capture light beautifully, and create a space where art and humanity can have a meaningful conversation. Ando has done exactly that, and I can’t wait to see this pearl shimmer above the creek.

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When Trays Become Magic: Bo Zhang’s Shadow-Dancing Lightware

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You know those moments when something so simple makes you stop and stare? That’s exactly what Bo Zhang is doing with his latest collection, and honestly, it’s kind of mind-blowing. Lightware is a series of transparent glass trays that don’t just sit there looking pretty (though they do that too). They actually play with light and shadow to create this ever-changing visual experience that transforms depending on where you stand, how the light hits them, and what surface they’re resting on.

If you caught wind of Zhang’s previous work, the Ripples collection, you already know he’s got a thing for messing with our perception. But where Ripples played with color-shifting optical illusions through hexagonal folded forms, Lightware takes a completely different approach. This time, it’s all about harnessing the science of polarizing film and glass to create what I can only describe as shadow choreography.

Designer: Bo Zhang

The genius here is in the subtlety. Zhang, who founded his studio Desz Office in New York back in 2019, has always been about creating pieces that interact with people on both visual and emotional levels. With Lightware, he’s tapping into something we usually take for granted: the way light moves through transparent objects. By layering polarizing film within the glass structure, these trays generate dynamic geometric patterns that shift and dance as you move around them or as the light source changes throughout the day.

Picture this: you set one of these trays on your coffee table in the morning. The sunlight streaming through your window casts one pattern. By afternoon, with the light coming from a different angle, it’s transformed into something completely new. Move it to another surface, and the shadows beneath it create yet another composition. It’s like having functional art that never gets boring because it literally never looks the same twice.

What’s really cool is that Zhang isn’t just making pretty objects for the sake of it. His design philosophy revolves around the idea that good artwork should have a soul, not be a cold entity. These trays are practical (you can actually use them to hold your keys, jewelry, or whatever), but they’re also conversation starters, meditation pieces, and honestly just really satisfying things to look at.

The recognition is rolling in too. Lightware recently won the NYCxDesign Awards 2025 Honoree in the accessories category, adding to Zhang’s growing list of accolades that includes being named one of UNESCO’s “100 Future Artists” and getting featured in Design Miami’s DMBX project. The design world has definitely been paying attention to what he’s doing, with features in publications like Vogue, Interior Design magazine, and Design Milk.

What I love about this collection is how it bridges the gap between tech-savvy innovation and accessible design. You don’t need to understand the science of polarization to appreciate these trays (though if you’re curious, polarizing film works by filtering light waves in specific directions, creating those mesmerizing patterns). You just need to be someone who appreciates when everyday objects transcend their basic function and become something more.

Since we live now with a lot of digital stimulation, there’s something refreshing about analog magic. Lightware offers this quiet, contemplative kind of wonder. It reminds us that transformation doesn’t always have to be loud or flashy. Sometimes the most captivating changes happen slowly, subtly, right in front of us, as naturally as light moving across a room.

Zhang’s work with Lightware proves that innovation in design isn’t always about reinventing the wheel. Sometimes it’s about looking at something as fundamental as a tray and asking, “What if this could do more?” The answer, in this case, is a collection that turns functional objects into portals of perpetual surprise, where shadows become art and transparency reveals hidden complexity.

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Projector and mini-fridge in one concept will solve problems of snackish couch potatoes

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If you ask people how they spend their rest days or leisure time, most will probably say go to a mall and shop, meet up with friends, or travel. But there are also homebuddies like me who would say an ideal rest day is consuming media, whether it’s a book, a TV show, a movie, and snacking while doing it. There are products and concepts that will appeal to couch potatoes who love that kind of alone time.

Designer: Changhwi Kim

fits is one such concept that will, well, fit, that kind of lifestyle. Basically it’s a media projector and a refrigerator in one compact device. You will be able to watch whatever your heart desires and if you get snacky (which of course, you will eventually become), then you just have to reach over and get whatever it is you stored in the mini fridge.

The device also has an adjustable height function so whatever position you want to take, you can calibrate it to the perfect position. The product renders show that it looks just like a typical mini fridge but with a projector on top. In theory, you can also connect it to an app that will give you content recommendations and even suggest snacks that will go with it.

While most of the time I will consume media on my phone or tablet while lying in bed, it will of course be more convenient if I had a mini fridge nearby as I’m watching. So this will probably be marketable for people like me.

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3D printed earhole covers helps football players drown out the crowd

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I don’t watch any American football but I’ve seen some actual footage (and movie scenes as well). I can only imagine how noisy it gets within the stadium, whether it’s college football or professional football. It will probably be hard to listen to anything else except the crowd’s cheers (and jeers). So what if you needed to hear what your teammates or coaches are saying?

Designer: Tamara Reid Bush and Rylie DuBois

A mechanical engineering professor and a biosystems engineering major at Michigan State have been able to produce something that can help athletes with that problem. Some teams previously just put duct tape inside the earhole of their helmets but they were able to make something better with the power of design thinking and 3D printing” earhole inserts.

These inserts were made from a bio-based plastic called polylactic acid and produced through a 3D printer. They were put into the helmet earholes and the challenge was actually to produce different sizes since different helmets of course had varying sizes. The main purpose is of course to drown out the crowd noise so they can hear play calls and the recently approved coach-to-player helmet communications in the NCAA.

While the around 180 sets they have produced are used by the Spartans, some of the Bowl Subdivision programs are also creating similar tools. For example, the Houston Texans have approached XO Armor Technologies, which can 3D print athletic wearables. After that, around 60 teams have already contacted them to produce sound-deadening earhole covers for their respective teams.

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Noise-canceling headphone concept creates sound bubble for clearer conversations

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When you need to have a serious conversation with someone or a small group, you probably need to find a place that has a private room or where there will only be a few people. But for times when you have no choice but to have it in a not so quiet place, then you probably wish you had a cone of silence so you can drown out other people’s voices while still being able to hear what your companions are saying.

Designers: Tuochao Chen, Malek Itani, Sefik Emre Eskimez

Well that might soon come true if this concept by the engineers at the University of Washington becomes a reality. The headphones is powered by AI and has the power to filter out the noise from as far as a few feet away so you’ll still be able to hear the conversation around you. It creates an imaginary “sound bubble” so you can focus on what you need to hear.

The noise-canceling headphones has six microphones on its headband, with a small onboard computer running a neural network. It will be able to analyze the distance from various sound sources around you. The ones that are farther away will be filtered out while the sounds closer to you will be amplified. If they come in within your imaginary bubble, you’ll be able to hear them clearly too.

It’s an interesting device to have especially if you have a lot of meetings or conversations outside. It would look strange though to have a group of people talking and all wearing headphones. They are working on smaller versions like earbuds or even hearing aids so that should work better.

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Vintage-looking ebike sidecar lets you ride around in style

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I am one of the estimated 50% of the world population that don’t know how to ride a bike and have no desire to actually learn how. But there’s one kind that I do know how to ride and given the chance, I’d probably willingly get on one: the sidecar. I can’t balance on two wheels but add a sidecar and another wheel to the equation, then yes, I can actually “drive” it. And if it’s an electric bike, then it also adds to the appeal.

Designer: Mod Bikes

The Mod Easy SideCar Sahara electric bike is something that may appeal to people like me or regular bike riders who want to get on this retro-looking thing that looks like a prop bike from Mad Max Fury Road. The design inspiration for the limited edition ebike is actually the BMW R75 Sahara motorcycle from the World War II era or the 1940s. But of course it has more bells and whistles given that it’s an electric bicycle.

The front wheel has a moto-style dual-crown suspension while the custom-made sidecar has dual headlights, an extended frame, and a cargo rack at the rear. And if your companion on the sidecar is a pet, it even has a built-in doggie door, which should work for pets and humans alike. There’s also a padded seat and a seatbelt for safety. As an ebike, it is equipped with a 750-W rear-hub motor plus give levels of programmable pedal-assist. It also has a responsive torque sensor and a thumb throttle.

The bike also has wide-beam LED headlight so you can be visible while driving around even when it’s dark already. There’s also a braking tail-light to add to the safety features. And if you want more control over the synched turn signaling and brake lighting, you can pair it with a Lumos smart helmet.

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ND filters adjust the tint on your sunglasses with a retro futuristic look

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I’ve been wearing transition eyeglasses for several years now. It’s become handy as I don’t need to bring sunglasses or have graded ones made to replace my eyeglasses when the sun is too high. However there are also some inconveniences to it as it sometimes takes long for it to turn back to “light” once I get out of the sun. I sometimes wish there was a way to control how much light gets in or out.

Designer: Lombell

Lombell has created sunglasses that utilize what photographers have been using for some time now: neutral density (ND) filters. Professional cameras are able to adjust the opacity of their lenses through these filters. So why not apply this technology to sunglasses? The titanium-frame sunglasses use ND filters to increase or decrease the amount of light that can pass through your eyewear, giving you more control over it.

The ND filter that they used has 9-stop variables and lets users adjust accordingly through the graded markings on the lens, making your sunglasses darker or brighter. It is also able to block more than 99% of UVA and UVB light no matter what level you’ve put the filters on. If you’re also like me that always need prescription lenses, you can replace the back piece of glass with one.

The ND filter sunglasses can also be a fashion statement as you exude a retro feel with them, especially for those who actually don’t know what camera filters are. It can actually even be cool when you’re adjusting the filter, like you’re a robot or android. And it’s also pretty cheap at just $89.99 for the regular lenses or $99.99 for prescription lenses.

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